Everyone knows that America is suffering from an obesity epidemic. But more recently, scientists have been puzzling over the phenomenon of obese infants, including those below 6 months of age. Why has America seen such a drastic increase in obese infants in the past few decades, when their exercise routine and calorie intake hasn’t changed over time? This question lead scientists to study how “obesogens” such as hormone-mimicking pesticides and chemicals found in plastics, may be linked to a form of obesity that cannot be quelled by diet and exercise. While poor nutrition and lack of physical activity are certainly fundamental causes of the obesity, many studies are beginning to suggest that exposure to pollutants could be programming people’s bodies to be fat. Research is now indicating that some of the chemicals Americans unintentionally ingest may be affecting children’s development, metabolism, and even turn fetal tissue into fat cells before an infant is even born. Read more about “obesogens” in this Newsweek Article.